Manchester United have been deterred from making a bid for Arturo Vidal because of the Chilean’s knee problems, according to national team boss Jorge Sampaoli.

The midfielder has been one of United’s top transfer targets this summer, with the Red Devils linked with a £47m bid for the Juventus man.

However, with the transfer window now in full swing, United have yet to officially move for the 27-year-old and Sampaoli believes Louis Van Gaal is wary of spending such a large sum on a player who has only recently undergone knee cartilage surgery.

‘I know that the main problem in Vidal’s $80m [£47m] transfer from Juventus to Manchester United is Louis van Gaal’s doubt over the improvement of Arturo’s knee,’ Sampaoli told Chilean newspaper El Mercurio.

Meanwhile, United have been linked with a £32m bid for Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado.